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Mary
Todd Lincoln
 Have you ever felt incompetent for an position you have earned? That is probably how Mary Todd Lincoln felt when she married Abraham Lincoln. She didn't possess the character traits it took to be a first lady, so she was commonly scrutinized by other socialites of Washington. She was very sensitive, especially towards criticism, so you can see that she was not happy about being criticized for not having proper social skills. She was born in Lexington, Kentucky in 1818. She was the daughter of Robert and Eliza Parker Todd. She came from a long line of politicians and wealthy merchants. She was well educated and proper, going to an exclusive finishing school. She defined woman's rights by learning music, literature, and French. She met Abraham while visiting in-laws in Springfield, Illinois. She decided to get married to him, but her parents were disapproving because of his unhealthiness. When Abraham became the president everyone thought that she was incompetent of being the first lady. Some of the Washington ladies took her in and tried to help her with her etiquette, but she was so touchy that she fired up at them and they didn't help her anymore. When the war broke out she supported it and tried to offer advice, but was scrutinized by other government figures. They called her the lady-president behind her back. During the war she visited local hospitals and brought wounded soldiers and gave them gifts that she paid for with her own money. She had a very successful life. She had 3 boys, Willie, Eddie, and Tad, but Willie died at age 11. She was depressed for a long time after that happened, then her husband died. She became depressed, moved out of the white house, and moved to Chicago with her two sons. Her role in the civil war was over.
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